This is the first installment of a fun series called “Sisters in the South.” I had the most amazing time researching, planning, and booking this 10-day trip with my oldest sister. It included a place she had wanted to visit for a very long time, (Savannah Georgia), so this trip was extra special ♥ In this post we will focus on the city of Chattanooga in Tennessee.
The loveliness that is this City.
In the beautiful foothills of the Appalachian Mountains is the gorgeous City of Chattanooga. It has the touches and quaintness of a small Southern Town, with the modern feel and appeal of a Big City. A clean and crisp Big City! The City looks like a beautiful piece of Art. From Hunter Museum, Walnut Bridge, the cascading falls of Rock City, and Victorian-style homes, Chattanooga has the concepts and reflections of Modern, Abstract, Deco, and Renaissance art throughout. It is a lovely palette of styles in every building, bridge, neighborhood, and street design.
My sister and I spent two lovely days in this City (I could have stayed much longer), but we still were able to squeeze in some amazing sights, lots of fun, and delicious food!
Date and Season
We adventured there in mid-March at the start of Spring. The air was crisp and sometimes chilly, the sky clear and lovely, colors beginning to pop everywhere! It was a great time for a visit.
A quick stop in Nashville
We flew into Nashville and stayed over one night. Nashville is a great city itself, but having been there before, I decided to spend the days we had to explore different areas of Tennessee, and I was not disappointed in that decision! My first stop on our way to Chattanooga was to get a delicious breakfast and a known Nashville favorite, Pancake Pantry. The food is so good I wanted to share it in this post! Plus, if you go to the Hillsboro Nashville location, you will enjoy some wonderful shops and parks nearby.
For the love of gardens ♥
If you follow me on social media (you should if you don’t; wink…wink…) or if you have enjoyed a read of any of my posts, you will probably already know, I stinking LOVE GARDENS! I think I envy those with a green thumb because despite my best efforts, I do not naturally come by it. That being said, I can appreciate the beauty and design of a garden. The detail and care of its upkeep.
Walking through a garden is like having the ability to walk through a spectacular work of art. So it was only natural that I sought out one to visit during our travels and I happened to find a jewel that was in Nashville, so we carved out time to enjoy it before heading to Chattanooga.
Cheekwood Estates and Gardens
A 1930s-style estate with a massively beautiful Georgian-Mansion, over 55 acres of gardens, and art to explore! This stunning place serves the public with the most spectacular botanical garden, arboretum, and a museum that includes an endless array of colors and landscapes to admire.
Tickets & Pricing
Depending on the admission you desire either just gardens and/or mansion tour you will pay $20 -$29 for admission. Yes, it is worth the price of admission!
Warner Parks – Nashville, TN
I learned of a fabulous park in Nashville called the Warner Parks which consists of two major public parks, the Edwin Warner Park and Percy Warner Park. In addition to gardens, I am a sucker for stairs and bridges. My favorite places to hike have either, or both! Percy Warner caught my attention because it has the Belle Meade Stairs Trail, and they were designed by the same architect, Bryant Fleming, who designed the Mansion at Cheekwood Estate. So, we had to go!
There are over 60 miles of sorted trails offered at these parks. We enjoyed the stair-trail and then onto the Warner Woods Trail which was a 2.5-mile loop into a wooded area and paved road. It is an immense and beautiful park! Now onto…
Chattanooga!
I want to make sure I convey to you how much I love this city. From the moment of our arrival the character, charm, and vibe of this Scenic City, (official Nickname of Chattanooga) jumped out at me. I felt relaxed and excited all in one.
Things to do
City Walking and Sightseeing
If I had to pick one favorite adventure while there, it would be walking through the city towns and sightseeing. My favorite area we wandered through was the Downtown/Riverfront district. It was so clean, charming, full of art, architecture, and coffee!
We walked around the Hunter Museum, and across the Walnut Bridge along the Riverfront into North Chattanooga. It was absolutely lovely ♥
Lookout Mountain
This adventurous place Is home to some fun and unique entertainment in Chattanooga. There are three attractions that each offer gorgeous views, adventure, and history of Tennessee and Georgia States. Lookout Mountain is an all-around perfect way to make for a enjoyable and memorable trip ♥ Please note, tickets to each attraction sell-out, so planning in advance and securing your entry is suggested.
Ruby Falls
One of the United States, tallest and deepest caverns that leads to a stunning underground waterfall. You will take a glass-door elevator 260 feet deep below ground and walk through the caverns while listening to a fun and knowledgeable guide share the history behind the discovery of the beautiful fall, and the heartwarming tale of her name, while enjoying the breathtaking light show.
With various kinds of tours to choose from, you can pick an option that works best for you. Be sure to sit and enjoy the sweeping views of the Tennessee River and the Mountain Valley from the Tower!
Rock City
What I realized once at Rock City is that Lookout Mountain is on the Stateline and goes into Georgia, and from this amazing garden park, you can see as many as Seven States!
Rock City is full of gardens, rock passage-ways, bridges to cross, story-book inspired caverns, shops, dining, wine slushies, and amazing outdoor panoramic views! It was so fun to meander through this special place ♥
Such a fun place to explore!
Incline Railway
This old railcar is one of the steepest passenger railways that takes you up to the top of Lookout Mountain as well as back down. While at the top you will see views of the Appalachian Mountains and can enjoy fresh-made fudge and other delicious treats!
Once you have ridden to the top of Lookout Mountain you can see sweeping views of the city and mountains as well as visit a cute gift shop serving some fresh-made fudge, ice cream, and even tasty hotdogs!
Although we did enjoy this attraction, even with pre-purchased tickets, the wait was very long! Railcar moves slowly up and slowly back down the mountain and the lines are long. When I return to Chattanooga again, (having already done this) I will definitely opt to enjoy more of Rock City or walking around the town as opposed to taking this ride. In my opinion, if you try to squeeze it all in one day as I did, make Incline the last stop on the list.
Yummy Food
Maple Street Biscuit Company
You want the yummiest biscuits in the USA… No kidding this place was the bomb! I knew I had to try to find the best biscuits and chicken place while in Tennessee and boy did I hit the jackpot! Not only was the location great, vibe fun, but the food, coffee, and fresh squeezed OJ was so yummy ♥
This tasty joint is open from 7 AM – 2 PM and gets busy! We arrived around 7:30 AM and there were only a few other folks. By the time we were heading out, the line started forming, and for good reason.
Hope you enjoyed reading about my 48 hour adventure, from Nashville to Chattanooga, TN. It was brief, eventful, so much fun, and absolutely lovely! It’s a visit that holds a small piece of my traveling heart ♥
Until the next adventure; cheers!
© 2024 Andee On The Go. All Rights Reserved.
